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-Short Attention Span Theater-
N.Y. Swim Student Bitten by Rabid Otter
2004-08-20
I think Fred should start a category called Animal Attacks. It's a Ranburg tradition.
We haven't had any vicious penguins. Yet.
A rabid otter latched onto, and bit, a 6-year-old boy who was taking swimming lessons at a small public lake Wednesday. Police said Ethan Pederson emerged from the water with the otter hanging onto his back and legs. Lifeguards wrestled it off, but the animal ran in and out of the water several times, chasing after others in the class, police said. Putnam County Sheriff's deputies were called to the lake about 11:15 a.m. Lifeguards finally trapped the animal under a plastic crate, and a deputy shot it dead. Police said the Putnam County Department of Health reported a positive rabies test. Pederson was treated for hand and back wounds as well as for rabies. Freshwater otters have brown fur and grow about 4 feet long. They are usually nocturnal and live off of fish, and sometimes fowl.
Posted by:Chuck Simmins

#16  He was lucky he did not stumble on a wolverine near her den. They are fierce critters! I was landing on a ridge with a helicopter. A wolverine came out of her den and attacked the chopper bubble and door. We hovered out of there and landed a couple hundred yards away.

Frank. In or out of the water? heh heh heh
Posted by: Alaska Paul   2004-08-20 10:51:04 PM  

#15  *sputter*

Lol!

It's awfully late to declare a COFFEE ALERT, but...

ROFL!!
Posted by: .com   2004-08-20 10:49:20 PM  

#14  I had a beaver bite me once..required antibiotics and rest....
Posted by: Frank G   2004-08-20 10:42:53 PM  

#13  Yes, Boon?
Posted by: Fred   2004-08-20 10:36:42 PM  

#12  Wait a minute.
Otter?
Posted by: Shipman   2004-08-20 4:39:07 PM  

#11  Glad to hear about the new rabies treatment. I guess I'll have to put away Mr. Hatfields shaving cream this Halloween.
Posted by: Shipman   2004-08-20 4:38:43 PM  

#10  Chuck & Dr. Steve: Thanks for the info.
Posted by: PBMcL   2004-08-20 3:55:28 PM  

#9  The kid should be glad it wasn't mating season.
Posted by: Charles   2004-08-20 2:54:51 PM  

#8  PBMcL: No. The new vaccine is much easier, less painful, and more effective.
Posted by: Steve White   2004-08-20 1:24:30 PM  

#7  I haven't jumped into an ocean since I saw Jaws.
Posted by: Raj   2004-08-20 12:41:34 PM  

#6  That'll be the last time that kid ever swims in a lake. Poor bugger.
Posted by: Chris W.   2004-08-20 12:21:53 PM  

#5  Tastes like duck.
Posted by: Little Mr. Foamy   2004-08-20 12:20:39 PM  

#4  I can answer that. The number of shots has been reduced, and you no longer have to get them in the stomach. LINK

There is a vaccine for rabies that those with high risk of exposure, like vets, can get. LINK [pdf file]
Posted by: Chuck Simmins   2004-08-20 12:10:42 PM  

#3  Question for Doctor Steve: is the treatment for rabies still really painful?
Posted by: PBMcL   2004-08-20 11:55:57 AM  

#2  Otters . . . why do they hate us?
Posted by: Mike   2004-08-20 11:44:24 AM  

#1  Hydrophobia has to be tough on an Otter, man...
Posted by: mojo   2004-08-20 10:57:09 AM  

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